Toronto – The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) welcomes the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada’s recent announcement supporting a national pharmacare program. The CDA is pleased that two federal parties, the NDP and the Green Party of Canada, have expressly committed to such a program.
“The CDA appreciates the NDP commitment to accessible pharmacare for all Canadians with diabetes no matter where they live,” says Rick Blickstead, CDA President and CEO. “While provinces have enhanced coverage for those on low income or with high drug costs, there is no nationally coordinated pharmacare plan. This results in different and piecemeal coverage that is unfortunately based on where people live and work, as well as on each person’s and family’s financial means.”
Dr. Jan Hux, the CDA’s chief science officer, added: “Over the last decade, complication rates from diabetes for major complications such as heart attack, amputation and kidney failure have been cut in half. That improvement is almost entirely attributable to evidence-based medicines. Unfortunately, not all Canadians benefit from these advances. Almost one-quarter of households have no drug coverage and about two-thirds must spend their own money for prescriptions. A national pharmacare program will help people with diabetes access the medications, devices and supplies they need to manage their disease.”
Recently, the CDA urged all federal parties to commit to the following priorities during this federal election:
- A tax on sugar-sweetened beverages because of the clear connection between high consumption of these drinks and the development of type 2 diabetes.
- Establishing a national pharmacare program so that people with diabetes can access the medications, devices and supplies they need to manage their disease.
- Expanding the disability tax credit to include all people with type 1 diabetes to provide financial relief for burdensome annual expenses.
Listen to Rick Blickstead explain the three election priorities:
Learn more about how to get involved in the election campaign to take action on diabetes by visiting diabetes.ca/votediabetes.
About the CDA
The CDA is the registered national charity that helps the more than 10 million Canadians with diabetes or prediabetes live healthy lives, and educates those at risk. In communities across Canada, the CDA:
- offers a wide array of support services to members of the public;
- offers resources to health-care professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
- advocates to governments, schools, workplaces and others on behalf of people with diabetes; and funds research on better treatments and to find a cure.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
